New Guidelines for Vitamin D Requirements

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released new guidelines for Vitamin D requirements for infants and children. To prevent rickets and Vitamin D deficiency in infants and children, the AAP recommends:  

• Breastfed and partially breastfed infants should be supplemented with 400 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life.
• All non-breastfed infants, as well as older children, who are consuming less than 1 quart per day of Vitamin D-fortified formula or milk, should receive a vitamin supplement of 400 IU a day.
• Adolescents who do not obtain 400 IU of Vitamin D per day through foods and beverages should receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU/day. 
• Children with increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency, such as those chronically taking antiseizure medications or those with fat malabsorption, may need higher doses of Vitamin D. 

 For more information, refer to: http://www.aap.org/pressroom/nce/nce08vitamind.htm.